Sunday, February 03, 2008

Will there be blood?

Only if I have to watch this movie again.

I know, I know. It's been nominated for a wad of Academy Awards, and it's supposed to be one of the best movies of 2007. But I have to tell you, There Will Be Blood is not a pleasant experience. Dark, gritty, at times compelling, with a sound track that periodically rattles your bones, the film's focus is an oilman whose life is, to quote Thomas Hobbes, "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."

Even after turn-of-the-century oilman Daniel Plainview, masterfully played by Daniel Day-Lewis, gets past the "poor" part and becomes a wealthy man, he remains solitary, nasty and brutish. And so does this movie.

Reviews, trailers at RottenTomatoes.com
The Paramount trailer (with music like fingernails on a blackboard)

2 comments:

The Pam said...

Cyn
As a nice contrast, try Juno. Delightful candy. I saw Let There Be Blood today and I thought there wasn't any blood to speak of. Am I getting overexposed and jaded? But then I loved Juno, so call me a quirk. For a fascinating combination of blood and delight, try No Country For Old Men. Sweet.

Later,
Pam

camccune said...

I've seen Juno. Really enjoyed it. I've avoided No Country For Old Men. I've never been a fan of Cormac McCarthy. I tried reading All the Pretty Horses, but found it too bleak, too bloody. But maybe I should give the movie a try.